Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board dismissed the claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as there was no properly filed VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of such disorder within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the AOJ has already granted it. The Board found in favor of tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure. However, the evidence does not support a finding that a-fib began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, right shoulder pain and Becker mole, hypertension, left lower extremity numbness and tingling, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for left lower extremity numbness and tingling, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for neck disorder, right shoulder disorder and low back disorder are all denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 14, 2022 due to his service-connected hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular disorder not making him unemployable. From January 14, 2022, the issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to his active-duty service. The decision also notes that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the favorable findings of the previous rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision found no current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, and concluded that right ear hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure. Service connection was granted for tinnitus in a separate rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss in the left ear and testicular torsion were dismissed as he requested withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's son, B.L.H., is recognized as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the age of 18. The Board found that B.L.H.'s mental development disability resulted in significant functional impairment and rendered him incapable of self-support before turning 18.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus began during active service and is related to his military noise exposure. The claims for headaches and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the VA examiner's opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inadequate. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The VA audiological evaluation showed Level I hearing acuity in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as non-compensable. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, left heel disability, and ear drainage have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities that meet the criteria for these conditions based on VA standards.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of left knee and hip degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss, are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.